Sarnia

OPSEU Protests Stalled Contract Talks

Ontario Public Service workers, represented by OPSEU, gathered outside the Sarnia courthouse Thursday to protest lagging contract talks with the liberal government.

They believe the Wynne government is refusing to bargain a fair collective agreement.

"Let the public know about the ongoing scandal with the government," says OPSEU Executive Board Member Leonard Elliott about their protest goals.

"[Wynne] continues to say cupboards are bare for collective bargaining. Well unless you're a corporate friend of the Wynne government, apparently the cupboards are bare and we're not having any of it."

The protesters claim the Wynne government has either wasted or overspent more than $8.2-billion dollars on private contracts and corporations. Thursday's demonstration aimed to get the message across that the Premier should take action and direct her negotiators to reach a fair agreement with Public Service workers.

"I want the Wynne government to stop the privatization of many of our public services," says Elliott at Thursday's demonstration.

The two hour information picket involved up to 50 members carrying placards and a large mascot-type likeness of Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Children and youth services Probation Officer Christine Gunn hopes everyone can work together moving forward, "[I want] everybody back at the table and bargaining in good faith and taking our demands seriously."

The public service workers are protesting government demands for wage freezes, cutbacks and concessions.

OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)

OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)

OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)

OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)

OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)

OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)

OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)OPSEU Protest May 14 (Photo by Briana Carnegie)

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